- 10 hours ago
To Heal or to Burn
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On the day of the wedding, my fiancé hung me high on a magical tower a thousand meters tall.
00:06He drew his enchanted sword and pointed it at me.
00:09If it weren't for you, Sylvia would still be alive. I want you to pay for her life!
00:14I cried and pleaded with him.
00:16Sylvia's death has nothing to do with me. It was clearly...
00:19But Arthur wouldn't listen to my explanation.
00:22He swung his sword, cutting through the rope.
00:25I fell from the tower. My blood drained as I died.
00:30When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back at the Pell family estate, the day Arthur had asked
00:36me to treat him.
00:36I'm a mermaid, my blood containing an ancient power capable of healing all ailmentes.
00:41In my previous life, after I healed Arthur's sight, I learned that the Pell family had boasted,
00:48Whoever heals Arthur will become the future mistress of the Pell family.
00:52Arthur was forced to enter into a sacred pact with me, when Sylvia, who had gone to the frozen glacier
00:59to pick the glacial lotus for him, heard the news.
01:02She lost focus for a moment and fell into the winter rift. Her body shattered into pieces.
01:08Arthur blamed me for Sylvia's death.
01:11He stubbornly believed that if Sylvia had brought back the glacial lotus, it would have broken the curse on his
01:17eyes.
01:17If only he had taken a moment to think, he would have realized the glacial lotus was just a rare
01:22magical supplement.
01:24This supposed cure for blindness was a myth created by wandering minsters.
01:30Before my death, I overheard the estates' maids gossiping.
01:35It turned out that Sylvia didn't fall into the rift because she was picking the glacial lotus.
01:40It was after she realized she could no longer marry into the Pell family, that she turned to a powerful
01:46old count.
01:47The count's jealous wife had her thrown into the winter rift.
01:50In this life, I wouldn't get tangled up in their web.
01:53I only wish they really do receive divine blessings and live happily ever after.
01:58Now I looked at Arthur, whose eyes were clouded with white.
02:02His eyes have been corrupted by abyssal magic and are beyond repair.
02:06No one can heal them.
02:08Upon hearing my words, Arthur raised his head, his empty eyes flashing with what seemed like anger.
02:14You lowly witch, get out of here!
02:16I turned to Lady Pell.
02:18If I, Jennifer, say a disease cannot be cured, then it truly cannot.
02:22In a short while, his eyes will rot and faster, and death will take him.
02:27You should pray to the light god for a child to replace him.
02:30Arthur hurled his pure silver goblet at me.
02:33I swiftly sidestepped.
02:35Crash!
02:35The goblet, worth a thousand gold coins, shattered on the stone floor.
02:40Startled, the Duchess quickly apologized to me.
02:44Please forgive his rudeness.
02:46I apologize on Arthur's behalf.
02:48It's just because of his physical condition.
02:51I flicked my sleeve dismissively.
02:53I understand.
02:55It's quite normal for a blind man to have a pamper.
02:59Seeing Arthur tremble with fury, I turned and left the Pell family estate.
03:06The Duchess rushed out, lifting her skirts and pleading in a low voice.
03:11Is there really no hope?
03:12I've heard you possess ancient water to magic capable of curing all ailments.
03:17If you can heal Arthur's eyes, the Pell family's vault will fulfill any of your wishes.
03:21I can't heal the young duke's eyes.
03:24Arthur, supported by a servant, had followed her out.
03:28Hearing my words, his voice trembled with anger.
03:31Mother, Sylvia has already taken the griffon and gone to the far north.
03:36Once she brings back the glacial lotus, my eyes will surely be healed.
03:41There's no need for other quacks to worry about me.
03:43The Duchess sighed deeply.
03:45The glacial lotus can only suppress the curse on your eyes.
03:49It's far from enough to restore your sight.
03:53Miss Jennifer is your last hope.
03:55I swear before the light god that Sylvia will heal me.
04:00I glanced at Arthur and then bowed to the Duchess,
04:03performing the mage's farewell gesture as I turned to leave.
04:06No sooner had I exited the Pell family's iron gates,
04:09adorned with the two-head eagle emblem,
04:12then a luxurious carriage stopped in front of me.
04:15A lady, her face veiled in black lace,
04:18stepped out of the carriage and kneeled before my robe.
04:21Please have mercy and save my son.
04:24It turned out that in the Abyssal Beast trial a year ago,
04:28Arthur wasn't the only one injured, his bitter rival.
04:32Lord Cedric of the Sant family was also hurt.
04:36Cedric's soul had been sealed,
04:37leaving him a living corpse unable to be awakened.
04:41But after the painful lessons of my previous life,
04:44I was no longer willing to use my blood to save anyone.
04:48I refused the request of the Marcheess of Sant.
04:51The Marcheess didn't press further,
04:53drawing a cross of light on her chest,
04:56wiping her tears,
04:57and returning to her carriage.
05:03A week later,
05:05I received a gilded invitation on parchment
05:09to a banquet at the Pell family estate.
05:12Sylvia had returned with the glacial lotus from the far north.
05:16The Duchess,
05:17fearing the apothecary apprentice's medicine might be ineffective,
05:21asked me to attend and verify it.
05:23The banquet hall was lit with brilliant magical lights,
05:27and Sylvia stood by Arthur's side,
05:29who still had his eyes covered with a black cloth.
05:32The Duchess grasped my hand,
05:34her face full of worry.
05:36I'm not afraid that the herb Sylvia brought back will be useless.
05:39I'm just afraid of disappointing Arthur again.
05:42He won't be able to bear it.
05:44Over the cast year,
05:45we've invited high-ranking priests from the Holy Church,
05:49but I've watched Arthur's hope for sight slowly fade.
05:53As his mother,
05:55I feel helpless.
05:56Before I could comfort her,
05:58Sylvia helped Arthur toward us.
06:01Duchess,
06:02don't worry.
06:03I'm certain I can restore Arthur's sight.
06:05I almost died in the mouth of a frost dragon for this glacial lotus.
06:09Arthur held Sylvia's hand,
06:11his face full of gratitude.
06:13Once I regain my sight,
06:15I'll hold a grand wedding for you at the Holy Cathedral.
06:18Sylvia turned to look at me,
06:20her smile unreadable.
06:22I'm not like those flashy,
06:24deceptive,
06:24low-tier mages.
06:25I'm certain I can break the curse of blindness in Arthur's eyes.
06:29The faces of the high-ranking priests
06:32who had once treated Arthur turned dark.
06:35Miss Sylvia certainly has a lot of confidence.
06:38Are you sure you can break the abysman demon curse on the young Duke?
06:42A commoner like you,
06:44with no magical or healing talent,
06:46dares to question our sacred arts?
06:48Even Miss Jennifer,
06:50who inherited the ancient water magic,
06:52says the young Duke's eyes are beyond healing.
06:55I don't believe that a girl like you
06:57has the power to do what she couldn't.
07:00Although Arthur felt that Sylvia was being too arrogant,
07:04he still instinctively stepped in front of her to protect her.
07:07I believe Sylvia can heal me.
07:09I couldn't hold up let out his off laugh.
07:12Sylvia, though I was mocking her,
07:14her teeth grinding in anger.
07:16I've heard you're the most outstanding water magish of this generation in the royal capital.
07:21But first, you rejected the Pell family.
07:24Then you turned down the Sant family.
07:27It's hard not to wonder if you truly understand high-level magic.
07:31I smiled slightly.
07:32Then I'm really looking forward to the day
07:34Miss Sylvia restores the young Duke's sight.
07:37Sylvia bit her lip.
07:38Are you angry that I've stolen your spotlight?
07:41I know the Duchess favors you
07:43and intends to make you the future Mr. of the Pell family.
07:46But right now, I'm the only one who can heal Arthur's eyes.
07:50Arthur, who had been blind, mocked me.
07:53Even if you have the magic to heal me,
07:55I would never agree to marry you.
07:56Besides, you're nothing but a fraud.
07:58I heard my mother praise you,
08:00and I thought you were some saintly figure,
08:02favored by the gods.
08:04But it seems you're nothing special.
08:06I swear before the gods that the only one I love is Sylvia.
08:09I'll marry no one but her.
08:11No matter how many times you show up at my estate,
08:14I won't spare you a second glance.
08:16Watching their little back and forth,
08:18I felt nothing but frustration.
08:20The Duchess called me here to check Miss Sylvia's potion.
08:24Since the young Duke has so much faith in her,
08:26I'll leave it to her and mind my own business.
08:28I grabbed my robe, ready to leave.
08:31But Sylvia reached out to stop me.
08:33What do you mean by that?
08:35I frowned.
08:36I mean what I said.
08:37If you don't understand,
08:39go read the ancient scrolls in the magic tower.
08:41Sylvia snorted.
08:42Why don't we make a bet?
08:44Let's see who can create a miracle.
08:46Whoever heals Arthur,
08:48the loser will kneel in front of the statue of the light god
08:51and admit defeat.
08:52From that moment on,
08:54they'll be exiled,
08:55never allowed to step foot in the royal capital again.
08:58I paused in my steps and turned to look at her.
09:01I'll make a sacred blood pact with you.
09:03However, I won't heal Arthur.
09:06I'll heal Lord Cedric Sant of the Sant family.
09:10The entire banquet hall fell into complete silence.
09:13Even the high-ranking priests couldn't help but gasp in shock.
09:16Lord Cedric's injuries were no secret in the royal capital.
09:19His soul had been completely sealed by the death area of the beast.
09:23Even the Pope himself had used the divine purification spell,
09:26but it could only barely stop his body from decay.
09:29In everyone's eyes,
09:31he had become nothing more than a hopeless living corpse.
09:33Sylvia froze for a moment,
09:35then couldn't help but burst into laughter.
09:37Treat a living corpse?
09:38Even if you're jealous that I can heal Arthur,
09:41you don't have to seek your own death in such a foolish way.
09:43Arthur scoffed.
09:45You're beyond saving.
09:47To get my attention,
09:48you're willing to gamble Cedric's life?
09:50A woman like you isn't worth even a strand of Sylvia's hair.
09:53In ten days,
09:54I'll watch you leave the royal capital with my own eyes.
09:56I found it laughable.
09:57In my previous life,
09:59I must have been blind to save him.
10:00This time,
10:01not only was he blind,
10:02but his mind was foolish as well.
10:04I coldly spoke.
10:05Let it be ten days then.
10:07The punishment for the loser will be as you've decreed.
10:10Kneel before the statue of the light god and admit defeat.
10:13Then be exiled.
10:14Never allowed to step foot in the royal capital again.
10:17A sacred blood pact materialized in the air.
10:20Sylvia grit was deep.
10:22Her eyes flashing with greed.
10:24If she won,
10:25she would become the mistress of the Pell family
10:26and have me beneath her feet,
10:28she bit her fingertip
10:29and pressed her blooded mark onto the contract.
10:32I'll grant your wish.
10:35I dripped my own blood onto the pact,
10:37and transparent chains snoked around our wrists,
10:40forming a blood-colored hourglass seal.
10:43The blood pact was formed,
10:45and any violator would be burned by hellfire.
10:48The story of Sylvia and I betting on Cedric's fate spread throughout the royal capital overnight.
10:54Underground casinos opened for betting.
10:56Sylvia's victory paid 2 to 1.
10:58My victory paid 100 to 1.
11:00Everyone placed their gold coins on Sylvia.
11:02She had the glacial lotus,
11:04and Arthur was still conscious.
11:06But I had to face a living corpse.
11:08Everyone believed I had no chance of winning.
11:10Arthur put up the Pell family's 500,000 gold coins,
11:14betting it all on Sylvia.
11:15He made a bold declaration.
11:17The money we win will go towards the most luxurious wedding.
11:20The next morning,
11:21I arrived at the Sant family estate.
11:23The Marcuress was already waiting,
11:25looking haggard and exhausted.
11:27She stepped forward and tightly gripped my hand,
11:29her voice trembling.
11:30As long as you can awaken Cedric,
11:32the Sant family is willing to go through fire and water for you.
11:35I nodded slightly.
11:37Take me to him.
11:37I entered the room,
11:39and the suffocating stench of death nearly choked me.
11:42Cedric's face was ashen,
11:43no different from a corpse.
11:45I reached my fingers to his forehead.
11:47Violent abysmal power was strangling the last bit of his soul.
11:50The Pope's purification spell was too powerful,
11:53he couldn't endure it.
11:54To awake him,
11:55I needed the purest essence of life,
11:57and the purest essence of life
11:59was the blood of the mermaids.
12:00I took out a bowl of rootless water,
12:03pricked my fingertip,
12:04and let a drop of mermaid blood fell into me.
12:06The water instantly began to boil,
12:09emitting a vast life force.
12:11I fed him the potion and cast water magic to guide it.
12:13The mermaid's blood slowly began to mend his soul.
12:17The ashen palmy faded,
12:18and a hint of color returned to his face.
12:22The martyess collapsed to her knees,
12:24her legs giving way beneath her.
12:27This is a miracle.
12:29Footsteps echoed in the corridor,
12:31and Sylvia entered,
12:32supporting the blindfold Arthur.
12:34A few curious nobles followed behind them.
12:37Sylvia feigned regret.
12:39Don't be fooled by this charlatan.
12:41Even the Pope was powerless.
12:43How could she possibly heal him?
12:45Arthur's tone was condescending.
12:46Once Sylvia heals my eyes,
12:48I'll have her take a look at Cedric as well.
12:50As for this woman,
12:51she should be thrown out at once.
12:53The martyess rose angrily,
12:55pointing at the door.
12:56This is the Sant family estate.
12:57She is a benefactor to all of us.
12:59Disrespect her again,
13:00and I'll have the knights throw you out.
13:02Sylvia's face turned pale
13:04as she stepped behind Arthur.
13:05Arthur's face darkened.
13:07I'm only offering a kind reminder.
13:09You'd rather trust a lowerly witch than the Pope?
13:12I laughed coldly and turned my gaze to Arthur.
13:15You should be more concerned about yourself.
13:17Last night, at midnight,
13:19didn't you feel excruciating pain in your eyes?
13:22Didn't dark purple gruzes appear around your eye cops?
13:25Arthur froze, stiff as a board.
13:27I hadn't missed a single detail.
13:29His voice trembled in panic.
13:31How do you know?
13:32I mocked him.
13:33The curse wasn't removed at all.
13:34It's merely been suppressed by the potion.
13:37When it bursts,
13:38both your eyes and brain will rot into black sludge.
13:42Sylvia screamed in outrage.
13:44You're talking nonsense.
13:46You're just jealous of my potion.
13:47Arthur, I will heal you.
13:49Arthur, struggling to suppress his panic,
13:52hugged Sylvia tightly.
13:54Do you think lying will turn us against each other?
13:56I don't believe you.
13:59I was unfazed.
14:00Well, good luck then.
14:02On the penultimal day,
14:04a carrier pigeon landed on my window, Sid.
14:07Its legs bound with a crystal from Duchess Pell.
14:11I infused magic into it,
14:13and the image appeared.
14:15Sylvia was brewing the glacial lotus,
14:17the potion almost complete.
14:18She added a drop of dark green liquid.
14:21The potion flashed with a strange purple light.
14:23The Duchess' message was filled with urgency.
14:25What is that liquid?
14:27Arthur's cries of pain are increasing,
14:29and I'm scared.
14:31I sneered.
14:32That was the forbidden drug, Demon's Eye.
14:34It forced the body's functions back to life
14:36by draining vitality,
14:38but what awaited Arthur was certain death.
14:41Sylvia had no talent
14:42and was willing to use forbidden drugs
14:44to create a false hope of restoration.
14:47I crushed the crystal.
14:49Foolish beyond measure.
14:51Moments later, the March guest sent word.
14:53Cedric had awakened.
14:54On the tenth day,
14:55the royal hall was filled with nobles and mages,
14:58all waiting for the outcome of the wager.
15:00At the stroke of the evening bell,
15:02I pushed open the door.
15:03Standing beside me was Cedric,
15:05who should have been a living corpse.
15:07His gaze was sharp,
15:08his step steady.
15:09There wasn't a trace of death in him.
15:11The entire room gasped,
15:12and everyone stood up in shock.
15:14Lord Cedric really woke up!
15:15This is a miracle!
15:16Sylvia's color drenned from her face.
15:18She stared at Cedric,
15:20her body trembling uncontrollably.
15:21I felt the blood pad on my wrist
15:23glow with a red light.
15:24The ten-day deadline is up.
15:26Kneel and admit defeat,
15:28then leave the royal capital.
15:29Sylvia's legs gave out,
15:31and fear filled her eyes.
15:33Impossible!
15:33You used witchcraft!
15:35You cheated!
15:36A shout came from the second floor.
15:39Who dares to touch my woman?
15:41Arthur stood on the balcony above.
15:43He pulled off his black cloth.
15:44His eyes were bright,
15:46glaring at me with malice.
15:48Arthur was smug.
15:50So what if Cedric woke up?
15:52Sylvia healed my eyes too.
15:54This bet is a draw.
15:55You're still a fraud.
15:57The room buzzed with shock.
15:58I looked at him with pity,
15:59my gaze lingering on the deathly purple-black
16:01spread across his pupils.
16:03A draw?
16:03What you're seeing now
16:04is merely the last flicker of light
16:05before your eyes decay completely.
16:07She gave you a death-inducing poison.
16:09Arthur's anger flared.
16:10Lies!
16:11I can see clearly!
16:12I responded coldly.
16:13Let's count down from ten,
16:14and we'll see if you can still see the world.
16:17Ten.
16:17Arthur scost.
16:18Nine.
16:19Eight.
16:20Seven.
16:21Arthur's smile faltered,
16:22and he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
16:24Six.
16:25Five.
16:26Four.
16:27Arthur's breathing became erratic.
16:28Black blood spots started to appear in his eyes,
16:31the burning sensation searing into his brain.
16:33No.
16:34My eyes hurt so much.
16:36Three.
16:37Two.
16:37The demon's eye curse backfired.
16:40One.
16:40A blood-curling scream echoed through the hall.
16:43Arthur's eyeballs ruptured,
16:44spewing purple-black venom
16:45while the abysmant curse devoured his nerves.
16:48He clutched his eyes,
16:49struggling wildly,
16:50and then lost his footing.
16:52The dull thud of him hitting the ground followed.
16:55He fell from the stairs
16:57and landed at Sylvia's feet.
16:59After a few convulsions,
17:01he descended into eternal darkness.
17:04I looked at Sylvia,
17:05sitting on the floor,
17:06and declared,
17:07It seems I've won.
17:09The hall fell into dead silence.
17:11Only Arthur's agonizing wails echoed through the space.
17:14Sylvia collapsed,
17:15shaking her head desperately.
17:18No!
17:18This can't be happening!
17:20It's the potion's fault!
17:21She turned to run out of the hall,
17:23but the blood pot on her wrist
17:25immediately flashed with a blinding red light.
17:28The punishment of the sacred blood pot had begun.
17:32Sylvia's knees crashed uncontrollably onto the stone floor.
17:35The sound of her kneecaps shattering was clear and sharp.
17:38She was forced to kneel toward the statue of the light god.
17:41Flames of the pact erupted from the seal,
17:43burning her soul with an unrelenting fire.
17:46I admit defeat!
17:47I'll leave the royal capital!
17:49She cried bitterly,
17:50crawling in extreme pain toward the exit.
17:52She had been reduced to nothing but a shell of her former self.
17:57Arthur!
17:58Duke Pell and his wife rushed into the hall.
18:00Upon seeing their son,
18:02his eye sockets nothing but black voids,
18:04his face covered in purple-black toxic blood,
18:07the Duke's face twisted in rage.
18:09He pulled out his enchanted sword with a violent motion,
18:12pointing it directly at my throat.
18:15It's you!
18:16You wicked witch!
18:17You've used dark magic to harm my son!
18:20I stared coldly at him.
18:22Is the Duke blind?
18:23It was Sylvia's forbidden potion,
18:26demon's eye, that harmed him.
18:27What does it have to do with me?
18:30The Duke wouldn't listen to reason.
18:33Kill her!
18:34Make her pay for my son's life!
18:36Dozens of Pell family knights drew their swords and charged at me.
18:40Who dares to touch her?
18:42Cedric drew his sword and firmly stood in front of me.
18:46The sharp, holy energy of his blade
18:48immediately sent the knights carging in front of him flying back.
18:52Markyr's sant raised a hand.
18:54Her elite knights immediately surrounded me,
18:57protecting me in the center.
18:59The two great families were now at a standoff.
19:03Stop!
19:04The heavy doors were forcefully pushed open.
19:07The cardinal of the holy church,
19:09clad in red,
19:10entered the hall with a group of temple knights.
19:13Duke Pell clung to the hope of salvation.
19:16Your eminency!
19:17I accused Jennifer of using Abyssian forbidden arts.
19:20Cedric's soul was sealed by death energy.
19:22Even the Pope couldn't do anything.
19:23How could she possibly heal him?
19:25She must have used Arthur's eyes as a sacrifice to exchange for the demon's power.
19:29The room buzzed with whispers.
19:31After all,
19:32the idea of awakening a living corpse was too far-fetched to believe.
19:37The cardinal's gaze turned icy as it locked onto me.
19:40Hand over your source of magic,
19:42and submit to the judgment of the holy light.
19:44If there is even the slightest trace of abysman energy,
19:47you will be executed on the stout.
19:49Cedric tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword,
19:52ready to intervene.
19:54I pressed my hand on his shoulder and stepped forward,
19:57passing him.
19:58In my previous life,
19:59in order to heal Arthur,
20:01I had slit my wrist and sacrificed half a bowl of my heart's blood
20:04that had shattered the foundation of my magic,
20:07reducing me to a powerless mortal.
20:10That's why Arthur had been able to easily hang me from a thousand-meter-tall magical tower.
20:15But in this life,
20:16my heart's blood still flowed within me,
20:18and I was still in my prime as a member of the Mermaid royalty.
20:22I stepped into the center of the holy light frame.
20:25Let the judgment begin.
20:27But if I am proven innocent,
20:29what punishment does the Pell family deserve for falsely accusing me?
20:32The cardinal replied coldly.
20:34If you are innocent,
20:35I will strip Duke Pell of his title.
20:37In the name of divine justice,
20:38there will be no mercy.
20:39The array activated,
20:40and the blinding light of judgment instantly engulfed me.
20:44Duke Pell's gaze fixed on the array,
20:46waiting for me to be reduced to ashes.
20:48I remained calm,
20:50casually cutting my finger fit
20:52and letting a drop of mermaid blood fall into the core of the array.
20:56The blinding light shifted into a deep blue wave of water.
21:00The life force poured out.
21:02The withered magical potted plants in the hall suddenly bloomed with vibrant flowers.
21:06The cardinal's face twisted in shock.
21:08His legs buckled,
21:10and he collapsed to the ground.
21:12This pure life effence.
21:14Are you of the divine blessed sacred bloodline?
21:17The room fell into stunned silence.
21:19No one could believe their eyes.
21:21The cardinal broke into a cold sweat,
21:23repeatedly bowing his head.
21:25Pure and fallest.
21:26Holy lady,
21:27please forgive my impolite tests.
21:30I turned coldly toward Duke Pell,
21:32whose face was ashen.
21:33You can now fulfill your promise.
21:35Hand over his ducal crest.
21:37Duke Pell collapsed to the ground,
21:39shaking his head desperately.
21:41No!
21:42I am the hereditary duke of the empire!
21:44You can't do this!
21:45A few temple knights stepped forward,
21:48their faces expressionless,
21:49and pinned him to the floor.
21:51The duchess screamed and fainted on the start.
21:56Just as the knights were about to remove the ducal crest from his chest,
22:00a terrifying inhuman screech suddenly came from Arthur,
22:03who was lying in a pool of blood Arthur jerked upright with a sudden unnatural motion.
22:08From his empty eye sockets,
22:11two purple-black flames of magic began to burn.
22:16What's happening?
22:17The cardinal stumbled back in horror.
22:20I narrowed my eyes slightly.
22:22The forced overdraft of the demon's eye had completely destroyed his human rationality.
22:28Meanwhile,
22:29the abyssal curse that had been suppressed inside him took the opportunity to consume his magical core.
22:35He had mutated.
22:37Arthur's skull cracked and two pitch-black demon horns sprouted from his forehead.
22:41His eyes, burning with demonic flames, locked onto Duke Pell.
22:46Arthur! Arthur! It's me! Your father!
22:48Duke Pell trembled in terror.
22:50Worthless!
22:51Arthur's voice turned hoarse and distorted.
22:54If it weren't for you trusting that commoner woman, how did I end up like this?
22:58All my suffering was caused by you!
23:00You all deserve to die!
23:02In the blink of an ire,
23:04Arthur appeared in front of Duke Pell.
23:06His pitch-black claws pierced through the duke's chest.
23:10Blood spurted out.
23:11Duke Pell's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at his son.
23:15Now a monster, and he took his last breath.
23:19The hall became a hellish nightmare.
23:21The nobles screamed and scattered in every direction.
23:25Arthur was slaughtering one after another.
23:27Suddenly, he pulled out his blooded claws and turned to look at me.
23:31He greedily sniffed the air.
23:33The blood on you. It smells so good.
23:37He roared, his voice filled with madness, as he lunged toward me like a blur of motion.
23:43Cedric let out a furious roar and swung his holy sword energy.
23:47Get away!
23:48The two forces clashed violently in mid-air.
23:51Arthur was knocked back several steps.
23:54I watched Arthur, now fully transformed into a monster.
23:57My eyes filled only with murderous intent.
23:59In the last life, you killed me once.
24:02This time, I'll send you to hell with my own hands.
24:05I raised my right hand, the deep blue water magic swirling and compressing rapidly at my fingertips.
24:11Arthur roared as he charged at me, his demonic flames burning wildly in his hollow eyes.
24:18The abysmal death energy took the shape of a monstrous hand, trying to rip me apart.
24:23I stood still, expression cold, as a droplet of deep blue water magic solidified into an ice-blue longbow, radiating
24:30a chilling aura.
24:31I pulled the bowstring back with all my might.
24:34The pure mermaid magic gathering on the string, forming a brilliant light arrow.
24:39This arrow is to repay you for the betrayal in the last life.
24:42As the words left my lip, the light arrow shot through the air with a pressure that seemed to purify
24:47everything in its path, heading straight for his twisted magical core.
24:51Even with the curse he had fused with, before me, he was nothing more than a helpless, doomed creature.
24:57A sharp crack echoed as the light arrow pierced through his abyssal core with precision.
25:02Arthur let out a bone-chilling scream.
25:05The pure essence of life erupted inside him.
25:09The demon horns on his forehead shattered piece by piece.
25:13The abysmal death energy in his body was instantly purified.
25:17Arthur's massive form began to melt away like snow, rapidly dissolving.
25:21In the end, he was reduced to a foul-smelling puddle of black water, gone, completely vanished.
25:28The hatred from the last life ended in this moment.
25:32The hall fell into complete silence.
25:34The cardinal knelt on the ground, trembling in fear.
25:38Just then, the shattered doors of the hall were violently kicked open.
25:41A squad of royal guards, cladded in golden armor, stormed into the hall.
25:47They quickly sealed off all the exits.
25:49The imperial crown prince arrogantly walked into the room.
25:52He ignored the corpses scattered across the floor.
25:55His eyes fixated on me with intense fervor.
25:58By the order of my father, the emperor, the blood of the mermaid princess, Jennifer, can cure all ailments.
26:04Take her to the palace immediately, and draw her blood for the elixir!
26:08The crown prince looked down at me, his gaze filled with blatant greed.
26:13Hand over your blood, obediently.
26:15If you cure my father, you'll become the future empress.
26:19Otherwise, everyone here will die.
26:22Cedric stepped forward, sword in hand, unwavering as he shielded me.
26:26Who dares to touch her?
26:28They'll have to cross my corpse first.
26:30The crown prince sneered.
26:32He pulled out a roll of forbidden magic.
26:35A massive energy net descended from the sky, suppressing Cedric's sword aura.
26:41Cedric grunned, dropping to one knee.
26:44The crown prince unshoed a silver dagger and approached me.
26:49Such precious blood.
26:51Let me taste it first.
26:52Will you draw it yourself, or should I do it for you?
26:55I stared at him.
26:57Do you dare drink the blood of the mermaid royal family?
27:00The crown prince's face twisted in anger.
27:03I'm the imperial prince.
27:04Give it to me, now!
27:06I smirked, forcing a drop of golden blood from my fingertip.
27:10He snatched it eagerly, swallowing it down without hesitation.
27:13Golden light surged through his entire body.
27:16Ha ha ha ha ha!
27:17I can feel the immense power!
27:20The crown prince laughed wildly, but suddenly his laughter cut off in his throat.
27:24He vomited a large mouthful of black blood.
27:27Golden flames erupted from all seven of his orifices.
27:31Ah, help me!
27:32It hurts so much!
27:34He collapsed to the ground in agony, thrashing uncontrollably.
27:38I looked down at him from above.
27:41Royal blood only heals pure souls.
27:43You poisoned the old emperor, stained with the sins of Patricite.
27:48It will only become the most deadly poison for you.
27:51In just a few seconds, the crown prince was reduced to a pile of charred ashes in the holy flames.
27:58The royal guards, terrified, dropped their helmets and armor, stumbling backward.
28:03With the caster gone, the divine energy net dissipated.
28:08I turned to leave, but slow applause suddenly echoed from the balcony above.
28:15The pope of the holy church slowly walked into the hall, staff in hand.
28:18His face was filled with pity, but his eyes were filled with insatiable greed.
28:23Magnificent.
28:23Truly magnificent.
28:24Thank you for helping me remove the troublesome royal family.
28:28I looked at him coldly.
28:30So this was your scheme all along?
28:32The pope grinned with satisfaction.
28:35Exactly.
28:36I deliberately let the Abyss and Curse spread.
28:39Once I drain your mermaid royal blood, I'll be able to control the entire continent.
28:47He raised his staff and coldly commanded.
28:51Do it.
28:52Cedric, standing behind me, suddenly froze.
28:56His eyes turned pure white in an instant.
28:59A thin thread connected to his brain.
29:02He drew his sword, and without hesitation, lunged towards my heart.
29:07Die.
29:08The pope laughed maniacally.
29:09The sword was only an inch from my heart, but could not pierce any further.
29:14A layer of deep blue water magic formed a barrier, stopping the blade.
29:19I turned around, pressing my finger to Cedric's forehead.
29:22A drop of pure magic seeped into his brain.
29:25The thread controlling his soul was instantly burned away.
29:28Cedric jerked awake, his eyes wide with realization.
29:31He looked at the sword in his hand, breaking into a cold sweat.
29:34I...
29:35I almost hurt you.
29:37I stopped him.
29:39It wasn't your fault.
29:40The pope's manic laughter faltered and stopped completely.
29:43It's impossible.
29:44How could you break Maia's divine magic so easily?
29:48I took a step toward him.
29:50You know nothing about the power of the Mermaid people.
29:54I spread my arms wide.
29:58The ultimate domain of the Mermaid royal family descended like a crashing wave.
30:03The entire hall seemed to sink into the deepest depths of the ocean.
30:08Vast water magics formed into invisible giant hands.
30:12It wrapped around the papes' neck, squeezing tightly.
30:16He was suspended in midair, struggling for breath.
30:19No, I'm the pope.
30:21I am the representative of the gods.
30:24I looked at him coldly.
30:26To manipulate others for your own selfish gain, and you dare speak of gods?
30:31I clenched my fingers slightly.
30:34The pope's body was instantly crushed under the pressure of the crushing water.
30:38He was reduced to a cloud of blood mist, his body and bones completely disintegrated.
30:44The hall fell into a heavy silence.
30:47The surviving nobles and knights all dropped to their knees.
30:51They trembled, not daring to lift their heads.
30:55Sunlight streamed through the shattered dome, casting a warm glow across my robes.
31:00Cedric knelt before me, his head tilted back in reverence and fervent.
31:05He kissed the hem of my gown deeply.
31:09My queen.
31:11I looked out over the entire royal capital.
31:14In my past life, I died because of foolish kindness.
31:18In this life, I stand atop the peak of power, stepping over the bodies of traitors.
31:23This game of fate.
31:24I've won it completely.
31:26Three years later, the morning sun filtered through the crystal windows and warmed my face.
31:32I opened my eyes, and Cedric, already up, was preparing my morning gown.
31:37My queen, today is the day the mermaid delegation arrives.
31:41I rose and allowed him to adjust my attire.
31:44For the past three years, Cedric had never left my side.
31:49He was my most loyal weapon and the only protector I trusted.
31:53How is the reconstruction of the heart of the ocean progredding?
31:57Cedric replied respectfully.
32:09Since that bloody reckoning, I had used the power of the heart of the ocean to reshape the royal capital.
32:16The decayed old nobility had been purged.
32:18The new ruling class was personally selected by me, composed entirely of individuals of pure character.
32:25The mermaid purification magic ensured that the abysmant curse would never again threaten this land.
32:32Where's Sylvia?
32:33A cold flicker passed through Cedric's eyes.
32:36She's in the ice cavern in the winter rift, surviving off the rotting bodies of magical beasts.
32:40Her legs are crippled, she can't stand again.
32:42She curses every day, completely lost her mind.
32:45I let out a cold laugh.
32:47Good.
32:48Let her rot there slowly.
32:50The winter rift.
32:51A thousand miles of frozen wasteland.
32:54Sylvia curled up in the narrow ice cavern, a foul stench surrounding her.
32:58Her legs were destroyed when the blood pack backfired, and now she could only crawl to move.
33:02That damn woman!
33:03It's Jennifer, that wicked witch!
33:05She cursed violently, her nails scraping against the ice wall, blood dripping from her hands.
33:12Suddenly, a massive frost wolf charged into the cave.
33:16Sylvia trembled in fear.
33:18No!
33:19Don't come closer!
33:20The frost wolf sniffed the pugilist scent on her and showed a look of disgust.
33:24It didn't even bother attacking this pathetic prey, and turned to leave.
33:28Sylvia collapsed into untrollable tears.
33:31Even the beasts reject me.
33:33Jennifer, I hate you!
33:34I curse you!
33:35Her voice echoed in the vast ice gorge, only the cold wind responding to her despair.
33:41Meanwhile, in another part of the royal capital, the once-glorious Pell family estate had fallen into ruin.
33:46A beggar, wearing a tutted headscruff, rummaged through the wreckage for food.
33:50It was the Duchess of Pell who had lost her title.
33:53Her husband and son were dead, and the family's wealth had been entirely seized by me.
33:58Now, she was worth less than the stray dogs on the street.
34:01It's all my fault.
34:03It's all because of me that Arthur...
34:05She munded to herself, her eyes empty.
34:07Suddenly, she spotted a familiar corner of a portrait poking out from the rubble.
34:12It was a portrait of young Arthur.
34:14Her hands trembled as she dug it out, holding it tightly to her chest.
34:20My son, I'm so sorry.
34:23She looked up to the sky, crying out in agony.
34:28At the center of the royal capital, the Temple of the Sea God.
34:31This was the new sanctuary I had ordered to be built.
34:34The architecture blended mermaid and human styles.
34:37The heart of the ocean atop the temple glowed with a soft blue light,
34:41purifying the air throughout the entire city.
34:43I sat upon the Sea God's throne, dressed in a deep blue royal robe.
34:48Below, the mermaid delegation, just arrived, knelled before me.
34:52At the head of the group was my cousin, the second prince of the mermaid kingdom.
34:56Princess Jennifer, your achievements on land have stunned the entire ocean.
35:00The king of the mermaid specially sent me to discuss a permanent alliance between our two races.
35:06I nodded.
35:07Humans and mermaids should live in harmony.
35:09As long as they carry purity in their hearts, my blood will be the greatest protection.
35:14The second prince respectfully presented a massive deep-sea pearl.
35:18This is a gift from the royal court, wishing you a reign of ten thousand years.
35:22I took the pearl, feeling the familiar oceanic aura within it.
35:25After three years on land, I occasionally longed for the embrace of the sea.
35:29But I enjoyed the supreme power I now held even more.
35:32Cedric.
35:33Yes.
35:34Cedric immediately stepped forward and knelt.
35:37Arrange for the delegation to stay at the palace.
35:39We'll host a grand banquet tomorrow.
35:42Once the delegation left, only Cedric and I remained in the grand temple of the Sea God.
35:48I stood and walked to the window, gazing down at the bustling royal capital.
35:57It's been three years.
35:59Cedric stood behind me, his voice soft.
36:02Are you still thinking about the past?
36:04No, I'm thinking about the future.
36:06This continent has already bowed to me, but that's not enough.
36:09I want the power of the mermaids to spread to every corner of the world.
36:13Cedric's eyes sparkled with admiration.
36:16Whatever you want, I will take it for you.
36:19I turned to face him, staring into his handsome face.
36:22For three years, Cedric had never betrayed me.
36:25Even in the most dangerous moments, he was willing to give his life to protect me.
36:30This absolute loyalty touched me deeply.
36:32We embraced passionately, sealing our vows under the moonlight.
36:40Cedric and I were married in the temple of the Sea God.
36:43Rulers from across the continent came to offer their congratulations.
36:47The King of the Mermaids personally conducted the ceremony.
36:50In the name of the ocean, in the name of life, we bless this couple's eternal love.
36:55I wore a pure white wedding gown, crowned with the ocean crown.
36:59Cedric, in a silver suit, looked as handsome as any prince.
37:02When we exchanged rings, the entire royal capital erupted in treas.
37:07Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen!
37:13I stood at the highest point of the Temple of the Sea God,
37:17looking down at the thousands of subjects who bowed to me.
37:20The pain of the past life had faded away.
37:23In this life, I possessed the highest power and true love.
37:27Cedric took my hand.
37:31Our story has only just begun.
37:33I smiled and nodded.
37:35Yes, I would spread the power of the Mermaids to the world.
37:38I would make all the traitors repent in despair.
37:41Together with the one I loved, we would rule this world forever.
37:44The sea breeze gently brushed my face,
37:47carrying the blessings of the ocean.
37:49Under the watch of the gods, we would write our own legend.
37:53Meanwhile, in the distant winter rift, Sylvia heard the distant sound of bells.
37:57It was the wedding bells of the royal capital.
38:12She knew I had won everything.
38:14She let out a desperate scream, struggling wildly in the cold cave.
38:19But no one would hear her.
38:20She could only wait slowly for death to come, trapped in endless pain.
38:25The victor is king.
38:27The vanquished is a criminal.
38:29This is the final outcome of our fateful game.
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